Orthopedic hand



July 18, 1944. I J. A. Q. cosTA 5 1 A ORTHOPEDIG HANDS Filed Nov. 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1944- J. A. Q. cosTA 2,353,811

ORTHOPEDIC HANDS Filed Nov; 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 18, 1944 2,353,811 on'rnoriamo HAND Jos Antonio Qui-rno Costa, Buenos Aires, Argentina- App'lication Novembergfi, 1942, SerialNo. 466,642

- In Argentina September 30, 1942 2 Claims.

This invention relates to certain'new and useful improvements in orthopedic hands and ad essential object of the same consists in providing an improved hand of the said kind which will allow of performing most of the functions of a T natural hand.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into practice, a preferred embodiment of the same has been shown, by way of example, in the accompanying" illustrative drawings, wherein- Figure 1 shows a perspective of an orthopedic hand constructed in accordance tion.

Figure 2 is a central cross section of the wrist of the means for controlling the fourth finger, the

other fingers having been omitted. Figure 6 shows still another view which illus-. trates the retaining means for holding the fourt finger in its several positions. Figure 6a is a detail perspective view of the release member for the rack which controls the movement of the fourth finger. 3

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective of an orthopedic hand in accordance with this invention, provided with an additional retention or fixing means. 7 Similar numbers of reference have been used to indicate like or corresponding parts in all the views. The construction shown in the drawings is that of a left hand and in the following description, the references correspond with such embodiment, although it will be evident that in the case of a right hand, the description and operation would be similar, only in a reversed sense. I

The hand shown in the drawings is a reproduction of a natural hand, pending normally from the arm. The member is suitably constructed of some light and plastic material, of sufiicient strength to enable the same to conveniently perwith this inveng movement (Figure 1), facilitate gripping, without using excessive pressures, of the objects accom-' modated for that purpose by the right or existing hand, with the natural speediness conferred by long habit and which may be noticed with many people not accustomed to make ambidextrous use of their hands.

A suitable connection provided at the wrist causes the hand to adopt a position of reception or of petition, according to the necessities of the multiple movements required, while, when walking or standing about in the office or similar place, by a reverse movement, the hand will be caused to adopt a natural attitude, by resting on the abdomen.

The movements set forth and other movements hereinafter to be described, correspond to an attitude of support which by means of the jointed thumb in an open position and'the little finger in its natural shape of a hook, will help to hold a glass or other object of a'certain volume; the movements of a pair of pincers, executed by the jointed thumb relative to the forefinger which is fixed and of a somewhat curved shape, will provide for different degrees of progression between the ball of the thumb and the third phalanx of the index, between said ball and the second phalanx. between the second phalanx of the thumb and the phalanx of the index, and between the phalanx of the thumb and the hand, properly, in a descending progression till the joining of the thumb'with the hand itself.

There also exist several different degrees of progression between the third phalanx of the index and the second phalanx of the middle finger, in a descendent progression until the joining of both the said fingers of the hand. Further degrees or gauges of separation exist between the middle and the fourth finger, also in a descendant progression till the joining of said two fingers, and a similar arrangement is found between the fourth finger and the index, and finally, a larger gauge of grip exists between the small finger and the hand. The pincer function is obtained by sliding, with the right hand, the object to be seized, between the fingers of the orthopedic hand, according to its thickness or volume.

Thus, by means of the above arrangement, the varying gauges or separations between the fingers and their several parts are obtained.

In the form of construction shown, I indicates the wrist block which by means of a screw 2 is threaded into the forearm, not shown in the drawings and which may be of any suitable type.

Said wrist is provided with a recess 3 which of a dog and clamp, while its attachment to the table or desk is brought about by a screw 40, provided, if desired, with a vacuum cup 42, for increasing its adherence, so that the table or desk will be held between the edge of the hand. conveniently provided with a roughened rubber pad 4|, and the cup 42 of the screw 40.

In order to enable the said fitting to adapt itself to varying thicknesses, the part of th same secured to the Wrist consists of a yielding steel blade 43, which allows of imparting thereto the "required movements and hold the hand in its by means of a guide element or spring stud 8 formed by a series of spring leaves with shoulders at their outer ends which engage behind a mating shoulder on the side Wall of a socket formed in the wrist, so as to allow of an angular displacement of about 45, preferably, by means of the pins 9, guided in slots formed in the wrist.

Suitable hooks placed at convenient points of the hand, permit of connecting the same as may be required, to at waist support or belt in a manner similar to that of the connecting device 4. r

With reference now to the construction of the hand, it will be seen that the thumb 2 is jointed, the same as the fourth finger I5, while the index 3, middle finger I4 and small finger |6 are fixed. The jointed thumb l2, in cooperation with the fixed index, act in the manner of a pair of pincers. I

The separating movement of the thumb with regard to the fixed index is performed by the action of a spring secured to the pin l8. The movement in an opposite direction is controlled by a ratchet member l9, integral with the part 2|, which is pivotally mounted on a pin constituting an axis of rotation. The different positions of the thumb are controlled by the release member 22, which by means of the detent 23 and influenced by the energy transmitted thereto by the spring 24, arranged on its axis of rotation, is caused to engage with different teeth of the ratchet member I9, thereby establishing in a gradual and controlled manner the adjusted position which may be desired. By means of the button 25, the action of the release member 22 may be anulled and the thumb carried back to its original position by the action of the spring I In Figures 5 and 6 the details of the joint of the fourth finger I5 are shown. This finger oscillates about the axle 26. An opening movement is transmitted to the finger by means of a spring 21, secured to the pin 28, and a cable 29 which extends from the upper end 30 of the phalanx. In a manner similar to the mechanism described in connection with the thumb, a rack member 3|, pivoted on thepin 32 at the base ofthe phalanx and guided by the pin 33, controls by means of itsteeth 34 and the release member 35, acted upon by the spring 36, the gradual approach or separation of the finger toand'from the palm of the hand.

The button 31 operates in the same manner and performs the same function as the button resting position on the table or the like.

The object 0f fixing the hand by means of the device just described, is to facilitate a number of attitudes and movements of the same in connection with working, eating or any other occupation which requires the hand to be held on thetable, in a firm position.

" An orthopedic hand, designed and constructed as-above set forth, may be used, with the natural assistance of the right hand, for performing a great number of functions of collaboration, such as the threading of a needle, sewing, holding a glass, a working tool, shooting with a rifle, handling spectacles, doing shop work, performance of personal hygiene, holding of the reins when riding and numerous other uses, such as eating with both hands, which would be a convenient form of using the improved hand.

The forms of construction set forth in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, are furnished by way of illustrative examples of the invention and it should be clearly understood that the same is not restricted thereto, but that many modifications of shape, detail and construction may be introduced, without departing from the scope of this invention, such as will be clearly set forth in the following 'claims.

Having now particularl described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declarethat what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An artificial hand, comprising, in combination a wrist block adapted for fixed connection with an artificial arm, a hand body, cooperating means on adjacent faces of the wrist block and handbody for rotatively connecting the same for limited angular movement; index,middle and small fingers integral with the hand body and a thumb and fourth finger pivotally and adjustably connected with the hand body, and a spring retracted eye member carried by the wrist block and adapted to be engaged With a support on the body of the-user of the hand.

2. An artificial hand, comprising, in combination a Wrist block adapted for fixed connection with an artificial arm, a hand body, cooperating means on adjacent faces of the Wrist block and hand body-for rotatively connecting the same for limited angular movement; index, middle and small fingersintegral with the hand body and a thumb and fourth finger pivotally and adjusta-bly connected with the hand body, and a spring clamp carried by the wrist block for slidably connecting the hand to a table or the like, said clamp being of substantially U-shape and having one end secured to the wrist block and the other end provided with securing means. I

JOSE ANTONIO QUIRNO COSTA. 

